scholarly journals Self-Monitoring of Urinary Hormones in Combination with Telemedicine — a Timely Review and Opinion Piece in Medically Assisted Reproduction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. Hart ◽  
Thomas D’Hooghe ◽  
Eline A. F. Dancet ◽  
Ramón Aurell ◽  
Bruno Lunenfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Validity Of Results ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Blood Tests ◽  
Cycle Monitoring

Abstract Cycle monitoring via ultrasound and serum-based hormonal assays during medically assisted reproduction (MAR) can provide information on ovarian response and assist in optimizing treatment strategies in addition to reducing complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Two surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020, including overall 24 fertility specialists from Europe, Asia and Latin America, confirmed that the majority of fertility practitioners routinely conduct hormone monitoring during MAR. However, blood tests may cause inconvenience to patients. The reported drawbacks of blood tests identified by the survey included the validity of results from different service providers, long waiting times and discomfort to patients due to travelling to clinics for tests and repeated venepunctures. Historically, urine-based assays were used by fertility specialists in clinics but were subsequently replaced by more practical and automated serum-based assays. A remote urine-based hormonal assay could be an alternative to current serum-based testing at clinics, reducing the inconvenience of blood tests and the frequency of appointments, waiting times and patient burden. Here we provide an overview of the current standard of care for cycle monitoring and review the literature to assess the correlation between urine-based hormonal assays and serum-based hormonal assays during MAR. In addition, in this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the introduction of remote urine-based hormonal monitoring as part of a novel digital health solution that includes remote ultrasound and tele-counselling to link clinics and patients at home.

scholarly journals P–593 Self-monitoring of hormones via a urine-based hormonal assay — a topical endeavour into telemedicine in medically-assisted reproduction (MAR)

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Hart ◽  
T D’Hooghe ◽  
E Dancet ◽  
R Aurell ◽  
B Lunenfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Blood Tests ◽  
Cycle Monitoring ◽  
Hormonal Assay ◽  
Natural Cycles

Abstract Study question How can cycle monitoring using a urine-based hormonal assay device improve current clinical practice in medically assisted reproduction (MAR)? Summary answer A urine-based hormonal assay has the potential to overcome the inconvenience of blood tests and reduce the frequency of appointments, waiting times and patient burden. What is known already Cycle monitoring via ultrasound and serum-based hormonal assays during MAR can provide information on the ovarian response and assist in optimising treatment strategies and reducing complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, blood tests may cause inconvenience to patients due to repeated venepuncture and the need for frequent clinic appointments. Urine-based assays have been historically used by fertility specialists in clinics, but since got replaced by more practical and automated serum-based assays. Novel technology utilising rapid chromatographic immunoassay to test urinary reproductive hormones in a home setting could provide an alternative to current serum-based testing at clinics. Study design, size, duration A questionnaire was disseminated among 24 fertility specialists (2019–2020) on the use of ultrasound and serum-based hormone monitoring in clinical practice. In addition, the literature on the reliability of urine-based hormonal assays compared to serum-based hormonal assays during MAR was reviewed in order to examine if urine-based hormonal monitoring could be re-introduced in clinical practice using novel state-of-the-art technology. Participants/materials, setting, methods All 24 surveyed fertility specialists responded, representing 10 countries from across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Questions assessed the frequency and role of hormonal monitoring, the hormones tested and the drawbacks of blood tests. The PubMed search engine was used to search the Medline database for publications between 1960–2020 with (MeSH-) search terms related to cycle monitoring (e.g. fertility monitoring, controlled ovarian stimulation, ovulation confirmation) and hormonal assays (e.g. estrone–3-glucuronide or E1–3G). Main results and the role of chance The survey confirmed that many fertility practitioners (n = 22/24) routinely conducted hormone monitoring during MAR, primarily for guiding dose adjustments (n = 20/24) and indicating risk of OHSS (n = 20/24). The reported drawbacks of blood tests included validity of results from different service providers, long waiting times and discomfort to patients due to travelling to clinics for tests and repeated venepunctures. The hormones routinely checked were E2 (n = 22/22), P4 (n = 18/22) and LH (n = 15/22). The literature review revealed a relatively high correlation (correlation coefficients 0.85–0.95) between serum E2 and urinary E1–3G in gonadotrophin stimulated cycles (Lessing 1987, Catalan 1989, Rapi 1992 and Alper 1994). No studies assessed the correlation between serum P4 and urinary PdG or between serum LH and urinary LH in stimulated cycles. In natural cycles, the correlation coefficients between serum P4 and urinary PdG seemed to be slightly higher than those between serum E2 and urinary E1–3G (0.73–0.94 vs. 0.54–0.88) (Denari 1981, Munro 1991, Roos 2015, Stanczyk 1980). One study reported a moderate correlation coefficient (0.72) between serum and urinary LH in natural cycles (Roos 2015). Limitations, reasons for caution There is risk of selection-bias for fertility specialists included in survey, however, the 100% response rate is reassuring. The correlation coefficients between serum- and urine-based hormonal assay and the cost-effectiveness and time-efficiency of urinary assay should be confirmed in further clinical studies using a novel state-of-the-art remote urinary monitoring device. Wider implications of the findings: Remote hormonal monitoring can be part of a novel digital health solution that includes remote ultrasound and tele-counselling to link clinics and patients at home. Especially during the unprecedented times of the COVID–19 pandemic, the prospect of remote monitoring system has the potential to improve patient experience during fertility treatment. Trial registration number Not applicable

scholarly journals Updated Insights on EGFR Signaling Pathways in Glioma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Alexandru Oprita ◽  
Stefania-Carina Baloi ◽  
Georgiana-Adeline Staicu ◽  
Oana Alexandru ◽  
Daniela Elise Tache ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Egfr Signaling ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Egfr Amplification ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Clear Clinical Benefit

Nowadays, due to recent advances in molecular biology, the pathogenesis of glioblastoma is better understood. For the newly diagnosed, the current standard of care is represented by resection followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide administration, but because median overall survival remains poor, new diagnosis and treatment strategies are needed. Due to the quick progression, even with aggressive multimodal treatment, glioblastoma remains almost incurable. It is known that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification is a characteristic of the classical subtype of glioma. However, targeted therapies against this type of receptor have not yet shown a clear clinical benefit. Many factors contribute to resistance, such as ineffective blood–brain barrier penetration, heterogeneity, mutations, as well as compensatory signaling pathways. A better understanding of the EGFR signaling network, and its interrelations with other pathways, are essential to clarify the mechanisms of resistance and create better therapeutic agents.

scholarly journals ESHRE guideline: routine psychosocial care in infertility and medically assisted reproduction—a guide for fertility staff: Figure 1

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 2476-2485 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gameiro ◽  
J. Boivin ◽  
E. Dancet ◽  
C. de Klerk ◽  
M. Emery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Psychosocial Care ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction

scholarly journals Depression and Anxiety in Pathways of Medically Assisted Reproduction: The Role of Infertility Stress Dimensions

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Davide Dèttore ◽  
Maria Elisabetta Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Lower State ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
The Family ◽  
Sexual Concerns ◽  
State And Trait Anxiety

Background: Depressive and anxious symptoms are common psychological reactions to infertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR). No study compared depressive and anxious symptoms and infertility stress dimensions across homologous and heterologous MAR, nor explored the specific role of the infertility stress dimensions in the two pathways. Homologous MAR may be associated with higher distress as the couple feel that the responsibility to reproduce and carry on the family line falls on them, and they feel inadequate if they are unable to bear children. Objective: We compared depressive/anxious symptoms and infertility stress dimensions between individuals undergoing homologous and heterologous MAR. We also explored the association between the infertility stress dimensions and depressive/anxious symptoms separately in two MAR pathways. Methods: Two-hundred twenty-six individuals participated [mean age = 39.71 years; 54.45% women]: 118 (52.2%) in homologous and 108 (47.8%) in heterologous MAR. The Fertility Problem Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y form were administered. Results: Individuals in homologous MAR had higher depressive/state-trait anxious symptoms, general infertility stress, and infertility-related sexual concerns than those in heterologous MAR. In homologous MAR, social and sexual concerns were associated with depressive/trait anxious symptoms while gender had no effect. In heterologous MAR, male gender was associated with lower state anxious symptoms while infertility stress dimensions had no effect. Conclusion: Individuals in homologous MAR are a more distressed subgroup which requires a tailored supportive psychological intervention specifically on sexual and social concerns.

scholarly journals Co-creating a large-scale adolescent health survey integrated with access to digital health interventions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshini Peiris-John ◽  
Lovely Dizon ◽  
Kylie Sutcliffe ◽  
Kristy Kang ◽  
Theresa Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Aim This paper describes how we engaged with adolescents and health providers to integrate access to digital health interventions as part of a large-scale secondary school health and wellbeing survey in New Zealand. Methods We conducted nine participatory, iterative co-design sessions involving 29 adolescents, and two workshops with young people (n = 11), digital and health service providers (n = 11) and researchers (n = 9) to gain insights into end-user perspectives on the concept and how best to integrate digital interventions in to the survey. Results Students’ perceived integrating access to digital health interventions into a large-scale youth health survey as acceptable and highly beneficial. They did not want personalized/normative feedback, but thought that every student should be offered all the help options. Participants identified key principles: assurance of confidentiality, usability, participant choice and control, and language. They highlighted wording as important for ease and comfort, and emphasised the importance of user control. Participants expressed that it would be useful and acceptable for survey respondents to receive information about digital help options addressing a range of health and wellbeing topics. Conclusion The methodology of adolescent-practitioner-researcher collaboration and partnership was central to this research and provided useful insights for the development and delivery of adolescent health surveys integrated with digital help options. The results from the ongoing study will provide useful data on the impact of digital health interventions integrated in large-scale surveys, as a novel methodology. Future research on engaging with adolescents once interventions are delivered will be useful to explore benefits over time.

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